Susan G. Komen San Diego’s annual awards ceremony, “The Suzy Awards,” brought together nearly 200 individuals to honor outstanding partners and volunteers in the community. The event took place on Tuesday, May 9, 2017 at the Hilton Bayfront San Diego. Attendees enjoyed the event’s Rosie the Riveter theme with Komen San Diego team members dressed up as the iconic womanpower character. Komen San Diego also awarded grants to local organizations providing breast cancer services at the awards ceremony, as well as announced and celebrated $1.2 million raised to fund free breast cancer services and research from 2017 through 2018 to their nonprofit and research partners here locally.

“The fight against breast cancer unites Komen San Diego, our various community partners, volunteers and staff,” said Laura Farmer Sherman, president and CEO, Komen San Diego. “Like any battle, it is important to have a team in your corner cheering you on, and ‘The Suzy Awards’ is the place to not only acknowledge one another, but also celebrate the impact we are making in our community. We have come a long way in the fight on breast cancer, but there is still a lot of work to be done.”

“The Suzy Awards” honored the following outstanding partners whose efforts have helped in the fight against breast cancer:

• Community Partner of the Year: Sycuan Casino
• Legislator of the Year: Senator Toni Atkins, 39th Senate District
• Partner in the Promise: Teresa Blanco, Northgate Gonzalez Markets
• Our Mensch: Marsha Friend Bergson
• Empowering Women 125: ZLAC
• Grantee of the Year: Vista Community Clinic

Komen San Diego provides the community with the following breast health services through grants to organizations to increase access to early detection and quality treatment: food assistance, transportation assistance, care coordination, cancer diagnostics, education, patient navigation and research. With over $1.2 million being granted in the 2017-2018 fiscal year, Komen San Diego continues to be the County’s largest funder of free breast cancer services and research, and is the only organization providing qualified women the free services they need for every step of their breast cancer journey.

The following organizations will be awarded grants:

• 2-1-1 San Diego – Health Navigation Program: Breast Health Care Coordination - 2-1-1 San Diego serves all of San Diego County, including all areas supported by Komen San Diego. 2-1-1 provides three tiers of service that allow people to access screenings, diagnoses, treatment and follow-up care.
• Community Health Imaging Centers of San Diego – Mobile Mammography - The mobile mammography coach can be scheduled up to seven days a week to reach women where they live, work, play and pray to remove barriers to getting screened. The coach will provide clinical breast exams, screening mammograms, diagnostic mammograms, and limited biopsies in the community. All uninsured, underinsured or low-income individuals can be screened for free on the coach.
• Family Health Centers of San Diego – Breast Health and Breast Cancer Screening through Education and Outreach - The Family Health Centers of San Diego will bring awareness to women in the community about breast health and cancer prevention and help increase access to the appropriate services through community outreach.
• Health Quality Partners – Breast Health Diagnostic Services Fund Diagnostic services (e.g., mammography, surgical consultations, breast biopsies, ultrasounds and ancillary services) to low-income, uninsured or underinsured individuals (women and men) are provided.
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego – Breast Cancer Care Coordination - Jewish Family Service of San Diego (JFS) help low-income breast cancer patients overcome barriers to treatment and receive supportive services.
• Jewish Family Service of San Diego – Breast Cancer Patient Financial Aid and Transportation - Jewish Family Service of San Diego will provide financial aid, financial planning and transportation assistance to low-income breast cancer patients with critical financial and transportation needs.
• La Maestra Family Clinic, Inc. – Breast Cancer Patient Navigation for Underserved Communities - This project will focus on coordination and improving access to and timely utilization of breast health services at any point after an abnormal breast imaging for primarily underserved, low-income and minority populations. Patients are guided through and around barriers in the complex cancer system, and to help ensure timely diagnosis and treatment. La Maestra Family Clinic, Inc. has a comprehensive referral arrangement set up with University of California San Diego’s Moores Cancer Center for patients with abnormal breast finding diagnoses.
• Mama’s Kitchen – Breast Cancer Outreach Project - The community needs a no-cost meal delivery service for individuals and families affected by breast cancer and in need of nutritional support. Three meals a day are provided to a breast cancer patient and her family.
• San Diego Black Nurses Inc. – Keeping Abreast of Our Needs - To reduce the incidence of late stage breast cancer among African American women 40 and above, "Keeping Abreast of our Needs" addresses the absence of consistent and accurate breast health and cancer information in the African American Community.
• San Ysidro Health Center – POWER / PODER - POWER / PODER is a culturally proficient breast health education and referral program serving African Americans and Latinas living in San Diego County’s South and Southeastern regions. Women in these communities experience higher rates of poverty, unemployment, lack of insurance, and breast cancer risk due to low screening and mammogram rates.
• Vista Community Clinic – VCC Breast Health Patient Navigation and Support Services - This program provides patient navigation services to North San Diego County women with abnormal breast screenings.
• Vista Community Clinic – Education & Linkage for African American Women in North San Diego County - The program will provide breast health education, health insurance education and access, and breast cancer screening referrals to African American women in North San Diego County in conjunction with partners.

For more information, visit www.komensandiego.org.